Honda Refueling Safety Interlock System

American Honda and its Honda Performance Development (HPD) subsidiary today unveiled a unique refueling safety interlock system designed to reduce the potential for pit fires and injuries resulting from drivers leaving their pit boxes with refueling equipment still attached in the IZOD IndyCar Series – a cause of many fires in the past. HPD has developed a new, inter-connected system that includes a fuel-probe sensor and corresponding electronics in the Engine Control Unit (ECU) and Gearbox Control Unit (GCU). The system prevents first gear from being engaged in the “paddle shift” system while the refueling hose is still attached to the car in the pit lane.